User Reviews

Went here before a Reds game. We got here early because I knew they usually filled up pretty quick. I've tried to get in a few other times before games and there is no where to sit. The atmosphere here is great. This is my favorite place to go before a game.

The food isn't bad for bar food and is fairly priced. Their beer selection isn't the greatest, but they have a few craft beer selections. I drank 3 IPA's to get me ready for the game because I refuse to buy beer at the ballpark. The staff was friendly.

My buddies and I came here before Chris Sabo bobblehead night. It was packed. Actually, I think we came another time too, anywho. Its atmosphere as a bar near a ballpark is great; big open spaces tons of bar spots and high top tables. Really, what hurts Holy Grail is the selection. When I first heard about it, I was so pumped because I heard they always kept a lot of great beers on draft. I wasn't disappointed to see Bud Light and such on draft, you HAVE to have that when so close to a sports venue. It was the lack of anything from a smaller brewery, Shock Top, Goose Island, Bud, Miller, Coors. There MAY have been a beer from Great Lakes or Sam Adams, but I can't remember for sure. The food was pretty good, not a let down like the beer selection. No complaints on the service, the were pretty busy and still made me feel like they cared. I gave them a good rating for effort and service, not education as I didn't have beer questions.

Holy Grail was once a great establishment when it was owned and operated by the Oldenburg brewing company (anyone remember them?) The original Holy Grail closed suddenly, it left us scratching our heads as it had great beers at a decent price.

I was so excited when I saw the place was back open. I couldn't wait to tell the guys and even more exciting was the idea that maybe Oldenberg was brewing again.

So disappointed by the "new" place, no Oldenburg affiliations, just a dive bar riding the coat tails of a once great bar with the same name in the same location.

However as disappointed as I am with the place I wouldn't be totally against stoping in for a beer if I was in the neighborhood but it wouldn't be my first choice and I probably wouldn't recommend it.

This is one of the dirtiest dive bar I've ever been to. Its really a true neighborhood bar with a very strange clientele. The place is definitely not one of my favourite places to hang out at but, on the off chance I've wandered in here they at least have a good selection of bottled beers. Often can get great lakes or other local breweries for a good price. The service is good too. There are few reasons why I would hang out here or recommend it to anyone else but its not the worst place in the world

Not that big of a beer destination but there will always be something worth drinking. This place is a college sport bar nightmare at times. It can be nothing but college punks and wannabe gansters and can be so loud you can't to the person next to you. It can be more relaxed at times as well, but it's hit or miss. Also eye candy. They'll usually have some Goose Island or Southern Tier or something on tap and they have their own blueberry beer from Barrelhouse.... Lots of macro and regular imports, though. Service can be pretty bad, especially when they're busy. Food is ok but nothing special, really.

Very typical college bar atmosphere. There is a three sides rectangle bar to alleviate congestion which is good. The place is fairly empty during the week and has a medium crowd on the weekends. Thursday night drink specials over pack the place which detracts from the atmosphere.
The bar is well staffed with attractive bartenders and qualified drink servers. While knowledge of beer is not at the forefront of this bars qualities, the bar is tended solidly.
The service is typically quick depending on the time of day. The 4-6 bartenders on busy nights makes the crowd go smooth.
Not an extreme selection. Pretty much your brand liquors and BMC brews with some macro crafts in bottles.
The food is solid bar food, nothing out of this world or particular.
Value is pretty normal and reasonable.

The Holy Grail is a University of Cincinnati standby right across from campus. Per the locale, lots of BMC products, but the selection and diversity is growing.

Atmosphere: This is definitely a student spot before and after all Bearcats games and on Friday and Saturday nights, but on any night of the week you can find a pretty good mix of college students and locals. From time to time they'll have live music or karaoke, and they've got a pretty decent jukebox. Very sports-bar-esque.

Quality: On an average night you'll get your beer in an actual glass. On a party night, game night, etc, expect a plastic cup - blah. Again, just depends.

Service: The servers and bartenders are always nice and helpful, even when they're packed.

Selection: Growing. They have plenty of taps, and while most are still Macros and BMC takes on craft beers (American Ale, Shock Top, etc), there are usually some local craft beers and others as well. This past weekend they had Moerlein's Emancipator Dopplebock, and Goose Island's Mild Winter and IPA. They always have their house brew (brewed for them by Barrelhouse) Blueberry Grail Ale on tap, served with fresh blueberries in the bottom of the glass. They also have a modest bottle selection. I typically find something I enjoy.

Food: Really good - great selection of deliciously greasy bar food (definitely get the loaded fries) - and a lot of other options from salads to pasta.

Pretty reasonably priced overall and worth a stop if you're in Clifton. Maybe come here for dinner and a beer, and then move on to Fries to enjoy a wider beer selection later.